§ Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will instruct the Senior British Naval Officer in Malta to pay a courtesy call upon the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador.
§ Mr. Healey:No, such a call would not be in accordance with normal practice.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will arrange for a squadron of ships of the Royal Navy to be held available to be in Malta simultaneously with the first courtesy visit to Malta by the Russian fleet.
§ Mr. Healey:I am not prepared to answer hypothetical questions.